The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense purchased 4,000 Chinese Mavic drones for its Armed Forces for approximately $14 million.
The Defense Procurement Agency of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has signed contracts for the supply of 3,000 DJI Mavic 3E UAV drones and another 1,000 DJI Mavic 3T drones with additional equipment following an international tender. The total value of the contracts amounts to 575.2 million Ukrainian hryvnas (approximately USD 14,478,456).
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«In modern warfare, speed and precision are key factors for success, which is why drones are becoming indispensable for our military. Drones make the military a flexible, mobile and effective force, ready to face challenges at any time. Therefore, the objective of the Ministry of Defense is to equip the Armed Forces with as many drones as possible. The combination of innovative technologies and high professionalism of the military will ensure effective defense of our country,» said Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Dmytro Klimenkov.
As reported by the Ukrainian government, as a result of the agreements, the average price of an unmanned aerial vehicle is as follows:
- 126,900 hryvnas (about USD 3,200) – DJI Mavic 3E with three additional batteries and a charger;
- 194,200 hryvnas (about USD 4,911)- DJI Mavic 3T with three additional batteries and a charger.
«The best prices are obtained when there is real competition among suppliers. That’s why, when the Agency had the opportunity to buy the Mavica we needed for the front line, we used the new Prozorro framework agreement procedure. And this approach paid off one hundred percent. In some auctions, there were 6-7 bidders competing and lowering the price during the auction. In the end, we were able to achieve record low prices for the state, which was confirmed by investigative journalists,» stated Maryna Bezrukova, Director of the Defense Procurement Agency of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
The Defense Procurement Agency of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense is using the Prozorro platform to streamline and get good prices on its purchases of «commercial» equipment for its armed forces. Another procurement process is currently underway to buy another 6,000 Chinese drones: 4,500 Mavic 3E systems and 1,500 Mavic 3T systems.
